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Celestial Object

Centaurus A

Galaxies

Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is a galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus, discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop in 1826. There is considerable debate over its fundamental properties, including whether its Hubble type is a lenticular galaxy or a giant elliptical galaxy, and its distance, estimated at 11 to 13 million light-years.

Facts
Object Type
Galaxy (disputed Hubble type: lenticular or giant elliptical) 1
Wikipedia's own lead states the Hubble-type classification is disputed between lenticular and giant elliptical; recorded here as debated rather than resolved by editorial fiat, per this atlas's DataBrief voice convention.
Orbital Distance
11 to 13 million light-years from Earth 1
Discovery Year
1826 2
Classification
Constellation
Centaurus 1
Catalogue
New General Catalogue (NGC) 1
In the Other Atlases

In Constellation

Also in Divinity Atlas: the constellation this subject lies in.

Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Centaurus A, infobox (Distance)
    Distance: 11-13 Mly (3-5 Mpc)
  • Entity description, centaurus-a catalogue classification
    Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is a galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus, discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop in 1826. There is considerable debate over its fundamental properties, including whether its Hubble type is a lenticular galaxy or a giant elliptical galaxy, and its distance, estimated at 11 to 13 million light-years.
View the Source
2. Wikidata: Centaurus A
Wikidata Q487255, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Centaurus A (Wikipedia)
  • Centaurus A, lead section
    considerable debate in the literature regarding the galaxy's fundamental properties such as its Hubble type (lenticular galaxy or a giant elliptical galaxy)
  • Centaurus A, Wikipedia - lead section, constellation
    Centaurus A (also known as NGC 5128 or Caldwell 77) is a galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus.
  • In Group: Lenticular Galaxies, infobox 'type' field: S0 pec (NED classification, de Vaucouleurs system) filed under Lenticular Galaxies
  • In Category: Celestial Objects, Centaurus A, Wikipedia summary
View the Source
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